Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (Montmeló)- The FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA PIRELLI 2017 was presented today at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), with the attendance of the Catalan Minister of Enterprise and Knowledge, Jordi Baiget; the second Deputy Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni; the President of Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Vicenç Aguilera; the President of the RACC, Josep Mateu; the Mayor of Montmeló, Antoni Guil and the Formula 1 President and CEO, Chase Carey.
The event served to provide all the keys of the new edition of a Grand Prix that has already earned a historic place within the World Championship, bringing Catalonia year after year into the international focus. Circuit President Vicenç Aguilera made reference to this fact. “We have managed to integrate Barcelona, Catalonia and Formula 1. After 27 years, we are a worldwide benchmark; no other Grand Prix of the World Championship has an offer like ours. Moreover, from the sporting perspective, the Championship arrives in a special moment”. Mr Aguilera also made reference to the commitment of the Circuit to sustainability, “our impact on the environment is very well considered; we want to be an example as regards sustainability, and we expect people to follow us”.
RACC President Josep Mateu highlighted the significance of the tradition and great fondness for car racing in Catalonia that led to the consolidation of the bond between the RACC and Formula 1 along the years. He also emphasised that “F1 is a unique chance to showcase Barcelona and Catalonia worldwide. F1 is on top level”.
Montmeló, a historic village of F1 in Catalonia, was also represented at the event, through Mayor Antoni Guil. For Montmeló, the fact of playing a leading role during the weekend in Catalonia and the world as the host village “ is a unique chance to open up to the world and to show the hospitality of our people. And not only for us”, he underlined, “but also for the Catalan territory, as it allows us to show our organisational ability as a country”.
The President and CEO of the premier class in car racing, Chase Carey, who is having his first year in Formula 1, made a positive assessment both of the start of the championship and of the feelings ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. “It’s been a great start and I’m very happy with the energy and the passion I have been able to witness”. As regards Barcelona, he stressed the commitment to the Catalan city. “Due to its beauty, for being in Europe and due to its history in Formula 1, we cannot imagine a better place to promote new things and to impregnate the Championship with renewed energies. Barcelona is a good start for this change and we want to continue counting on the city in the future. We will also continue working in order to make the event and the magic of this sport reach more people”, he concluded.
The second Deputy Mayor of the Barcelona City Council, Jaume Collboni, highlighted that the agreement between Barcelona and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is based on three important aspects: “educational activities, because it is our priority to create occupation related to innovation; the promotion of entrepreneurship, especially among young people and through Barcelona Activa with the encouragement of start-ups; and sustainability related to the electric and gas-powered engines”. Mr Collboni expressed his “satisfaction for being part of one of the greatest sports events worldwide” and highlighted that “this GP projects a positive image of the city and links it to the motor industry that innovates and contributes quality”.
As regards Jordi Baiget, Catalan Minister of Enterprise and Knowledge, he referred to Formula 1 as “ a show that places Catalonia and Barcelona in the world. We also have to value the economic impact generated for the territory”. He also highlighted “the involvement of all administrations with the Circuit” and thanked for “the effort of all entities that are helping to make it possible. The Grand Prix will surely be environmentally and financially sustainable”.
Next Thursday, the drivers will already be at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to attend the traditional pit lane walkabout and autograph session. The track activity will start on Friday with the first free practices and continue on Saturday with the qualifying session. The start of the race will be given on Sunday at 14:00, after which we will eventually know the winner of the fifth round of the 2017 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season.
